Empoli stunned Juventus with a remarkable upset during the Coppa Italia quarter-finals on February 26, 2025, at the Allianz Stadium, winning 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 following regular time. The defeat for Juventus, who had been strong favorites to advance, was emblematic of the team's recent struggles.
The match kicked off with Empoli's Youssef Maleh putting the Tuscans in front at 24 minutes, sending shockwaves through the home crowd. Although Juventus responded with Khéphren Thuram's goal at the 66th minute, the match would extend to penalties after neither team could secure the decisive advantage during the final moments of regulation.
Thiago Motta, Juventus coach, did not hold back on his disappointment following the game, stating, "I feel honestly shame for what we saw in the first half and I hope my players feel the same. We are not in the semi-final because we did not deserve to be." His remarks encapsulated the overall feeling of embarrassment permeated throughout the Juventus squad after this humiliative exit.
Motta also took on personal responsibility, expressing regret over not properly instilling the importance of the competition to his players. "It was embarrassing and evidently it is my fault, as I did not show my players the importance of the match or what this jersey means," he elaborated. The coach’s disappointment amplified after their recent exit from the UEFA Champions League, showcasing the downward spiral of form for the Bianconeri.
The penalties shootout proved nerve-wracking, with Liberato Cacace from Empoli converting his attempt to help secure the 4-2 victory for his team. Dusan Vlahovic's miss, where he ballooned his shot over the bar, and Kenan Yildiz’s effort being saved by Empoli's keeper Devis Vasquez proved pivotal moments highlighting Juventus’s failures under pressure.
"We are left with shame... This is inadmissible. We can only apologise to our fans, apologise to the club, apologise to the history of this club, because we really hit rock bottom today," Motta lamented, reflecting on the low morale within the team. His criticisms did not stop at the performance; they extended to the team's mindset. He emphasized how players must earn their victories rather than expect to win without hard work.
This loss perpetuates Juventus's identity crisis under Motta, who commented, "I believe in the team because we have players of quality, but quality is not sufficient. You need other elements to compete in football and attitude is the main thing." Following this defeat, the club's focus shifts entirely toward Serie A, where they currently sit fourth, reflecting the urgency to reclaim their pride on the domestic level.
Meanwhile, Empoli's victory not only serves as significant joy for their fans but also marks them as potential fighters against relegation, currently sitting 18th on the Serie A table. Cacace, expected to represent New Zealand at the upcoming FIFA qualifiers, has provided hope through his performance today. His successful penalty was pivotal both for the cup and lighted reasons for optimism for the club and its supporters.
Highlighting the palpable disappointment coupled with fleeting hope, this game encapsulates the reality of competition; one team solidified by hard work can topple another, once thought superior, through sheer determination—showing the unpredictable nature of football.